Attention PTA Treasurers!  It's Tax time!!

PTA Tax Returns- You must apply for an extension or file by November 15, 2012

If you have the usual June 30 year end, all PTAs and PTSAs must file their federal tax returns by November 15, or request an automatic three month extension by the same date to avoid late filing penalties. Depending on your gross revenue and net assets, you will file a 990-N, a 990-EZ or the full 990.  Here are the levels:

Use 990-N (e-postcard, very short and simple and can be filed electronically) - if your annual gross receipts are less that $50,000

Use 990-EZ (really not so EZ- it's about 20 pages) - if your gross revenues are $200,000 or less and your net assets are under $500,000

Use 990- if your gross revenues are above $200,000.

If you need more time to sort all this out, file for the three month Automatic Extension on Form 8868; then you have until February 15, 2013 to complete your taxes.  You must request the extension or you will face late filing fees.

Here is a link to the IRS site for more information and directions on filing.

If you do need to file one of the longer forms, here is a site that will help you- basically on-line tax software for 990s.  It is free if your gross receipts are under $100,000 and $35 for the next tier up- very reasonable!

If you have more questions, contact Tatia Vasbinder at the state PTA at

tvasbinder@wastatepta.org

Dianne Casper

SCPTSA Treasurer

Family Connectors University: Volunteer Family Connectors are invited from each Seattle Public School!

-From SPS and Seattle University

The Family Connectors University is a nine-week training program designed to provide families with skills to strengthen School Family Partnerships in Seattle Public Schools. The Office of School Family Partnerships will oversee the training and facilitation of this program.

Participants will attend nine weeks of orientation and training each Wednesday, from November 7 through January 23, 2013, from 6-8pm, at Seattle University's Pigott Building. There will be no training November 21 or during winter break.

If you are interested in participating in the Family Connectors University, please contact:

Bernardo Ruiz at 206-252-0693 or bjruiz@seattleschools.org

Margo Siegenthaler at 206-252-0794 or masiegenthaler@seattleschools.org

Mohamed Roble at 206-252-0696 or maroble@seattleschools.org

Annual LGBT Families Dinner

Thursday, November 8

6-8pm at NOVA/SBOC

The annual lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) Families Dinner will be held Thursday, November 8 from 6-8pm at NOVA/SBOC (the old Meany Middle School). Superintendent Banda and members of the school board will be there to welcome LGBT families and their friends. All District families and staff are welcome to attend! This donation-funded event is brought to you by the Health Intervention Office and the Office of School Family Partnerships. Dinner and entertainment will be provided through community donations. To reserve space at this popular event, please RSVP with the number of people in your party to Lisa Love in the Health Intervention Office at 252-0982 or llove@seattleschools.org.

SCPTSA Votes to Endorse Operations and Capital Levies Renewal

Help Support Continued Funding for Our Schools by Scheduling a Schools First Levy Presentation at Your Next PTA Meeting

Renewal of two critically important Seattle school levies will be on the February 12, 2013 ballot. The campaign to ensure successful renewal begins now and we need each and every PTA's support!

• The Operations Levy provides more than a quarter of the funds needed to operate the Seattle Public Schools.  This levy provides funding for basic day-to-day operations, teachers, instructional assistants, textbooks, classroom supplies, bilingual and special education services, bus transportation, student activities such as athletics, arts, extra-curricular and co-curricular activities, professional development and training.  

• The Capital Levy (BEX IV) renews our commitment to providing safe, quality schools for our kids.  This levy will provide much needed funding to maintain and improve our aging existing schools and provide earthquake safety upgrades at 37 schools.  BEX IV will renovate and build schools to help meet the substantial and continued growing enrollment in Seattle's public schools, 1,400 additional students this school year alone!

PTA's have been the backbone of every successful campaign to ensure our critical school levies are renewed.  Get involved today!

• Schedule a brief presentation by Schools First for your November board or general meeting.  Schools First is the volunteer network of parents and education advocates that campaigns for renewal of our school levies. 

You and your school community are essential to our school levies renewals for all our schools and all Seattle Public Schools students! 

• Contact Kerry Cooley-Stroum at kcs@seanet.com for more info and to schedule a Schools First (www.schoolsfirstseattle.org) presentation at your next PTA board or general meeting.

October and November College Application Events Scheduled for Seniors

-From SPS

Seattle Public Schools will be hosting a series of College Application Completion events throughout November. These events are free and open to all 12th grade students.

Resources will be provided to support students with their college applications, specifically their college essay. This includes access to computers, printers and trained writing tutors.

Each student will be given a toolkit with step-by-step guides for applying to local colleges, fee waiver information and writing tips. For more information and to register, visit www.roadmaptocollege.org.

The times, dates and high school locations for these events are:

3-7pm, Wednesday, November 7 at Roosevelt, 1410 N.E. 66th St.

3-6pm, Tuesday, November 13 at Rainier Beach, 8815 Seward Park S.

2:45-7pm, Thursday, November 15 at Garfield, 400 23rd Ave.

For more information, contact the College and Career Readiness Department, klrillo@seattleschools.org or call (206) 252-0075.

2012 State of the District  

-From SPS

Superintendent Jose Banda presented the 2012 State of the District on November 1.  He will present it again with a Q&A session at 6:30pm on Wednesday, November 14 at the John Stanford Center auditorium.

A recording of the State of the District will air on Cable Channel 26 starting Monday, November 5 at 11:30am and 7pm weekdays, and 8am and 9pm weekends. It will also stream live beginning November 5 on the Instructional Broadcast Center Web page.

Imagine U @ College!

Sunday, November 18  

12-1pm lunch, 1-4pm workshops/presentations  

Garfield High School, 400 23rd Ave, Seattle, WA 98122
View Map

-From SPS

Join Seattle Public Schools for a day of college exploration!  For all students in grades 9-12. Learn how you can achieve your college dreams through college preparation sessions from the experts!  

• College Admissions
• Financial Aid & Scholarships
• Campus Life
• Student Panel

For additional information, visit: www.imagineu.wsu.edu or contact Janet Blanford, College & Career Readiness at jlblanford@seattleschools.org (206) 252-0184

Translations:

Spanish

Somali

Vietnamese     

Schedule information 

REFLECTIONS 2012-2013    

The Reflections Art Program is a National and State PTA cultural arts competition.  The purpose of the program is to provide an opportunity for students to use their creative talents by expressing themselves through their own original works.  Each year, Reflections challenges students to create art that supports a specific theme.  This year's theme is:  "The Magic of a Moment."  A student may submit an entry in any one of six arts areas - Literature, Music Composition, Photography, Visual Arts, Film/Video and Choreography/Dance.  Only original works of art are accepted.  Application form

You will need a student entry form and a rules and guidelines form for the area in which your student is interested in submitting.  Submissions are judged in five divisions: Primary -- Preschool - Grade 2; Intermediate -- Grades 3 - 5; Middle/Junior -- Grades 6 - 8; Senior -- Grades 9 - 12; Special Artist.  All submissions are due to SCPTSA by December 3rd.  Selected work will be exhibited at the Seattle Center, Harrison Street Gallery, from Dec. 10th-31st; the artist reception will be on Sunday, December 16th, from 2-4, at Seattle Center.  Finalists could go on to the state and possibly national levels.  If you have any questions, please contact your school's Reflections Chair or SCPTSA Reflections Co-Chairs Leanne Hawkins (hawkins1022@msn.com) and Daphne Dejanikus (dsdejan@hotmail.com).

We Need You!  SCPTSA is Currently Seeking Three New Board Members for the 2012-2013 School Year